Last night, news broke of allegations against actor and LGBTQ activist George Takei. According to a Hollywood Reporter article, former model Scott Brunton claims Takei took advantage of him in 1981, when Brunton was 23 years old. This morning, however, in a series of tweets, George Takei denies the incident ever took place.

Friends,

I'm writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Bruton. I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them. /1

Friends, I’m writing to respond to the accusations made by Scott R. Brunton. I want to assure you all that I am as shocked and bewildered at these claims as you must feel reading them.

The events he describes back in the 1980s simply did not occur, and I do not know why he has claimed them now. I have racked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do.

But I do take these claims very seriously, and I wanted to provide my response thoughtfully and not out of the moment.

Right now it is a he said / he said situation, over alleged events nearly 40 years ago. But those that know me understand that non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful.

Brad, who is 100 percent beside me on this, as my life partner of more than 30 years and now my husband, stands fully by my side. I cannot tell you how vital it has been to have his unwavering support and love in these difficult times.

Thanks to many of you for all the kind words and trust. It means so much to us.

Yours in gratitude,

George

In the Hollywood Reporter article, Brunton claims Takei drugged him. When Brunton came to, Takei allegedly had undone Brunton’s pants to his ankles and had his hands inside Brunton’s underwear.

Brunton says he approached Takei years after the incident in Portland on a book tour. Brunton said:

I always wanted to ask him — I just felt really betrayed. I thought I was a friend and here I am later, just another piece of meat. So I called him up at the hotel — I figured out which hotel he was at — and he said “Hi, Scott. I remember you.” I wanted to ask him why. We met for coffee, and I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It was just too uncomfortable.